Pictured (l-r) Laura Bracci (Treasurer), Pat Pierce (Volunteer & Schedule Coordinator), Mark Pierce(Friends President), and Paula Chapla – (Chairperson, Seymour Public Library Board of Directors and Friend).
SEYMOUR — At the annual meeting of FOCL held on Saturday, June 10, 2023 at Avon Public Library, Pat Pierce received the Individual Achievement Award for municipalities with 15,000 to 25,000 residents.
Nominated by Laura Bracci, also a volunteer with the Friends of Seymour CT Public Library, the award was one of seven presented that day.
The Seymour Friends belong to FOCL which is a non-profit organization consisting of local Friends groups, organizations and individual members who believe that libraries are an essential resource for the citizens of our State.
Founded in 1979 FOCL now includes over 100 local Friends groups, organizations such as the Connecticut Library Association and the Association of Connecticut Library Boards, various book sellers and many individual members.
FOCL is a statewide support group whose members believe libraries are essential and exists to promote library enrichment by helping Friends groups support their libraries through education, advocacy, training and resources. (www.foclib.org)
Laura nominated Pat for her organization skills in multiple areas of the Friend’s room – from getting additional shelving installed, to categorization and display of different genres. CD and DVD sections are also sorted by categories, making it easier for patrons to find what they may be looking for, along with other items of interest from jewelry to stuffed animals.
Since Covid, puzzles donation have increased significantly, and Pat developed the pricing system according to the number of puzzle pieces – from 100 to 1000 plus. She schedules volunteers to work the book sales and provide assistance at sales, which are determined according to the quantity of book donations received.
As Treasurer, Laura knows the effect Pat’s creative ideas have had – Friends members get first shopping options on sale days before the general public, and this has helped the Friends to contribute $2000 toward an outdoor pavilion, and $2500 toward a new book drop. Quilting is a passion of Pat, and she has fabricated quilts for Friends raffles and also assisted as an instructor in a quilting class held at the library. Suzanne Garvey, Library Director, submitted a letter that was read by Pam Monahan, President of FOCL, in support of all that Pat has done for the library and the Friends.
Pat faced some health issues in 2022, but carried on with her volunteer activities, inspiring Friends and patrons alike. Her fresh ideas and enthusiasm keep everyone working to continuously improve the groups activities in support of the library for the benefit of the patrons and the town.
